Page 120 of The Business of Love Box Set 1: Books 1 - 4

JACKSON

B usiness had never been better.

My appointments with clients were running back to back for the first time since I started my matchmaking career.

I was almost beginning to feel like there wasn’t enough of me to go around.

If my business had not been so organized, I would have likely become overwhelmed and backed off the success for a while.

It was daunting but I had help in my corner that was making all the difference.

After quitting her job at the call center, Hailey had spent the first week in New York mulling over career possibilities and what she might want to do that would provide a good family and work life balance.

It was harder to come by than either of us expected, and money wasn’t an obstacle.

I could afford to put her through any education program she wanted. We considered teaching, oral hygienist, accountant, bookkeeping, paralegal, and so many more. Nothing made her excited. Nothing pulled her in.

So I’d made the same offer I made two months ago for her to come work for me. She’d surprised me by saying yes almost immediately.

Now we were three weeks into her being my assistant/manager and I couldn’t believe the difference it made having her in the office.

She was a fucking rock star and she knew it.

My midday online appointment with a new client ended shortly before lunch.

I put my jacket on and wandered out of my office into the waiting room, where Hailey’s desk was.

She had her head down when I came out and she was working on the office tablet, scrutinizing my schedule for the next couple of weeks.

She had no idea I was standing over her.

When I cleared my throat, she yelped and jumped. The tablet nearly went flying off the desk but she caught it and shot me a dark, intimidating stare. “Don’t do that, Jackson. I could have broken this.”

“I could buy another one.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. Her attention immediately returned to the schedule.

“I’ve been reviewing how you have your appointments set up for the next couple of months.

It’s a little counterproductive. Do you mind if I rework things and contact your clients to see if changes are good with them?

I can save you a lot of time and possibly buy you an extra day off a week. ”

I blinked. “Really?”

She nodded. “Yes. And simultaneously create more space for more appointments on the days you’re in the office. How do you feel about taking Mondays off? That gives us three-day weekends to get the nursery ready and we can schedule all baby-related classes for Mondays.”

“That sounds fantastic.”

She clicked on part of the calendar and started typing in notes for herself.

“Perfect. Oh, and before I forget, your two o’clock appointment called.

He’s running fifteen minutes late. I shifted things around so your four o’clock comes at four twenty.

Nobody will lose any time and you can still bill for the full hour. ”

I leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “How did I do this without you?”

She smirked. “You didn’t do this , Jackson. You made up for your lack of organization with your charm.”

“I love when you compliment me.”

“Is that what I was doing?”

I chuckled. “You good here for a minute? If I have an extra hour, I have something I need to go do.”

“What’s that?”

“None of your business, that’s what.”

Hailey rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. But don’t be late.”

“I won’t be late. I promise. Why don’t you lock the door for a minute and take a breather? Put your feet up? You could make some of that tea you like so much.”

Hailey shrugged. “Maybe. I like the work. And this chair is very comfortable.”

“Only the best for my baby mama.”

“How many times have I told you not to call me that?”

I flashed her a smile as I pushed out the front door. “Not enough apparently.”

The gentleman behind the glass display case had a bald head and a long, sharp nose.

His nametag did not have a name in it. It was just an empty holder attached by a pin to his black blazer that looked like it was straight out of the seventies.

I imagined he might have a name like Reginald or Hubert. Or perhaps a mix of both.

Regibert. I snickered to myself.

Regibert, as I was now going to refer to him, looked up at me. “Did I miss something funny, sir?”

“No,” I said hurriedly. “No. Sorry. I just got caught up in my own thoughts.”

Regibert acknowledged my comment with a small nod before he finally found the key he’d been searching for on his ring. He slid it into the case-door lock, gave it a twist, and slid the back panel open so he could reach inside and lift out a velvet tray lined with dazzling rings.

Regibert set the tray down between us on top of the glass case. “Did you have a specific ring in mind you wanted to see?”

Yes. I pointed at the third one from the top on the far right side. I’d first seen it over two months ago when I passed by this shop on my lunch break. At the time, Hailey and I hadn’t been on the best of terms, but the ring had caught my eye, and for some reason, it made me think of her.

It was elegant, delicate, and sophisticated all at once.

But still youthful and fun. The band was simple with a gentle swoop upward that held a large round diamond sitting atop a bed of smaller diamonds.

Regibert called this a halo style. Two matching, diamond-studded, interlocking bands completed the set, but for now, I only had eyes for the engagement ring.

“That one,” I said, pointing it out to the salesman.

Regibert plucked the ring from its velvet bed and handed it to me. It was heavier than I expected. Next, Regibert passed me a small microscope and explained I could use it to inspect the ring for any imperfections. I did and found none.

It was perfect. Just like the woman whose finger it belonged on.

“Is this the first ring you’ve looked at?” Regibert asked.

I nodded. “Yes. And I suspect it will be the only one.”

Regibert seemed startled by how easy the sale was. “Would you like to look at our financing options? We have plenty of ways to purchase a ring of this price with manageable monthly payments if you would like.”

“I will pay in full today.”

Regibert stammered before he managed to slap on a well-rehearsed salesperson smile that I knew all too well. “Very well, sir. Would you like the warranty for that as well?”

“Absolutely.”

“And the accompanying bands?”

“Next time,” I said. And there would be a next time.

Regibert took the ring and we spent the next fifteen minutes covering all the boring paperwork like warranties and receipts and how to care for the ring. I was fairly certain I had the right size but Regibert explained that we could get it changed free of charge since I had the warranty.

“She’s a lucky girl,” Regibert said. “We don’t sell many pieces of this caliber out of this location.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

Regibert smiled genuinely this time. “Well then, congratulations. Do you have a plan of how you’re going to propose?”

“No, actually. She and I had a bit of a rough go the last couple of months and I think I’m going to wait it out and find the right moment. Neither of us are in a rush. And we have a lot to look forward to already right now. I just couldn’t leave this here knowing it was her ring.”

“A wise man.”

“She would disagree.”

Regibert laughed. “She will be delighted with your choice I’m sure.”

God, I hope so.

Regibert packaged the ring up beautifully.

He found a blue velvet box that it sat perfectly in, and every time I opened the box, the ring caught the light of the shop and glittered magnificently.

I had never seen such a stunning piece of jewelry before and it was easy to imagine how good it would look on Hailey’s left hand.

“Can I get you anything else, sir?” Regibert asked at the end of the transaction.

I laughed off his gentle push to buy more from him. “Not today. But I’ll be back. And I’ll come to you for business. What’s your name?”

He extended his hand over the counter to shake mine. “Harvey. And you?”

Damn. Not even close to Regibert. “Jackson.”

“It was a pleasure to help you with your purchase today, Jackson. Come back with your fiancée. Maybe we can find her a nice pair of earrings to complement that ring.”

“You’re a shark, you know that, Harvey?”

His eyes twinkled deviously. “She’s worth it, no?”

Damn, he’s good.

“Every dime,” I agreed.